Spindle lock



April 1929- A. LEVEDAHL 1,708,183

SPINDLE LOCK Filed June 14, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. LEVEDAHL April 9,1929.

SPINDLE LOCK Filed June 14, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 jkmzzzfdr; 162 60m flyQM Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

* UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

AXEL LEVEDAHL, OF AURGRA, ILLINOIS, ASSEGNOB TO INDEPENDENT PNEUMATXCTOOL COMFANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CQRPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SPINDLE L l-CK.

Application filed June 14,

In the copending application of Reinhold A. Norling, filed June I l,1926, Serial No. 115,730, there is disclosed and claimed a portablepower operated tapping tool provided with means for automatically reversing or changing the direction of rotation of the tap or spindle of thetool without stopping the motor or changing the direction of rotationthereof on moving the tap against and on withdrawing it from the work.

lVhen using the tool for setting screws or nuts or removing the same, itis necessary to substitute for thetap a screw-driving bit or socketwrench, as the case may require, and lock the direction changingmechanism of the tool in either its forward or its reverse position,depending on whether the screws or nuts are to'he set or removed.

It is the object of my invention to provide a locking mechanism for thispurpose and usable with the tool of the character referred to.

In the accompanying drawings 7 Fig. l is a side view, with parts invertical section, of a tool of the character described equipped with thelocking mechanism of my invention Fig. 2 is a view of the the tool;

Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views taken on lines 33 and 4.-4,respectively, ofFigs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of the drivinggears;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the spindle removed from the tool; 7

'Fig. 7 is ahorizontal sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig.1, withthe parts shown in locked position; and

gear assembly of Fig. 8 is a similar View with the partsshown inunlocked position.

In Fig. 1, the complete tool as shown comprises three sections, a handlesection 1, a motor section 2, and a reducing gear section 3. Thesesections are bolted or otherwise secured togetherin the order named.

The handle section 1 carries the plunger .(not'shown) of the switchmechanism whereby the operator may turn on and off the electric currentto the tool. The switch mechanism may take the form disclosed in PatentNo. 1,529,910, granted March 17, 1925, to said Reinhold A. Nor ing.

The mot r section 2 contains an electric 1926. Serial No. 115,731.

motor 5 having its armature shaft 6 extending into the gear section 3for driving the gears contained therein. The shaft 6 e):- tends throughand runs in an ant-ifriction hearing 7 in a bearing support 8 clampedbetween the motor and gear sections 2, 3, as shown in Fig. 1.

Of the gears in the gear section 3, the one 7 9 is the first reducinggear and it meshes directlywith gear teeth cut in the shaft 6. Gear 9 islined to a shaft 10 journalcd at its ends in the support 8 and outerwall of the gear case 3, respectively, as'shown in Fig. 1. Shaft 10 isprovided with gear teeth 11 constituting the first reducing gear pinion.This pinion 11 meshes with the second reducing gear 12 for forwardspeed. Gear 1.2 is fixed to a shaft 13, which as shown in Fig. 2 has itsends also journaled in parts 8 and 3. This gear has an elongated hubprovided with gear teeth let (Fig. 2) which constitutes the secondreducing gear pinion. This pinion lei meshes with a ear l5 looselymounted on the spindle 16 of the tool, said gear constituting theforward spindle gear.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, gear 12 meshes with a gear 17 whichconstitutes the first reducing gear of reverse speed. This gear 17 isfixed to a. shaft 18 journaled in parts i 8 and 3, as shown. Gear 17 hasan elongated hub provided with teeth 19 which form the reducing gearpinion of the gear. This pinion 19 meshes with a gear 20 loose on thespindle 16 below the gear l5,as shown in Fig.1, and constituting thereverse spindle gear.

The spindle 16 is hollow and extends into the gear case 3 from its outeror lower end, as shown in F 1. The inner or upper end 16 of the spindleis reduced and is journalcd in a tubular extension on the member 8. Anantifriction end thrust bearing 21 is in this extension for the spindle.A bushing 22 is in the outer end of the gear case 3 for the forwardportion of the spindle 16.

The reverse gear 20 runs on the upper end of this bushing, while theforward gear 15 is held from rising by a stop collar 16" above. the sameon the spindle 16. The bushing 22 has its upper end flanged as at 22" soas to provide a suitable bearing for the gear 20 and also to engage theadjacent potion of the case to hold the bushing in the same.

. f' 11., I. have shown a screw-driving ment of the stem 24' is limited,however, by a cross-pin 26 carried by the stem and havfixture23 attachedto the forward end of a stem or member 24-, which extends into thehollow spindle 16 from the outer end thereof. Fixture 23 followsgenerally the construction set forth in Patents Nos. 1,391,723, ofSeptember 27, 1921, and

ing its ends in vertically elongated slots 27 in the spindle 16, asshown in Figs. 4 and 6.

To promote ease of operation, the ends of this pin are provided withrollers 28, 28 to work against the sides of these slots, the latterbeing reversely inclined, as shown in Fig. 6. Pin 26 also connects thespindle and stem together so that both will be rotated in unison.

The clutch for each gear and includes a pair of oppositely disposedclutch dogs 30, 30, which as shown in the drawings are in the form ofballs. These balls are retainedin holes 31, 31 in the hollow portion ofthe spindle 16at the gears 15 and 20, as shown. Said gears have internalgrooves 32, 32 toreceive the outer portionsof the associated balls 30,when forced into them by the cam portion 33 of the stem 24. There aretwo ofthese grooves 32 in each gear, one for each ball 30 with thegrooves 1n each gear separated by shoulders or abutments 34:, 34formedintegral with the gear, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4c. lVhen in thesegrooves and against the shoulders, the balls connect the'respectivegears 15, 20 to the spindle 16 for rotating the same either forward orreverse dependingon which gear is clutched to the spindle.

The cam 33 is adjacent the upper or inner end of the stem 2a and hasvertically disposed slots or recesses 35, 35 on opposite sides thereof,one for each ball 30, 30, to receive the inner portions thereof when thegears 15, 20 are disconnected from the spindle and are free to turnthereon, as shown in Fig. 3. The ends of these slots orrecesses 35 areinclined into the cam 33 so that the balls 30 will be moved into thegrooves 32 of their associated gears in the shifting of the cam back ofsaid balls, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

When the tool is used for tapping holes, a tap through a suitable chuck(not shown) is attached to the stem 24, and the motor 5 is set inoperation by turning on the switch through the plunger in the handle 2.WVit-h the tap out of contact with the work, the parts so far describedare in the positions shown-in Fig. 1 and the spindle 16 is rotated inreverse or coi'mter-clockwise due to the fact that "the spring 25 holdsthe cam 33 at Vithout stopping the motor 5, the tap is inserted in thehole to be tapped and the en tire tool forced toward the work. Thiscauses the spindle 16 to be moved toward the work and shifts the cam 33from the lower to the upper set of dogs or balls '30. As the cam 33leaves the lower set of balls 30 the latter are free to move out of thegrooves 32 of saidv gear and disconnect the same from the spindle 16.This happens before the upper gear 15 is clutched to the spindle 16 inorder that one gear will be disconnected from the spindle before theother is connected therewith. This is brought about by having thespacing between the two sets of balls 30, 3O substantially equal to orslightly greater than the width of the cam.

As the tool is forced or pressed against the work, the inclined ends ofthe upper set of slots or recesses 35 force the upper set of balls 30into the grooves 32 of the upper gear 15 and clutch the same to'thespindle 16 for driving thetap forward, that is, clockwise or in adirection to cut threads in the hole. The cam 33 being behind the upperset of balls holds the forward gear 15 clutched to the spindle 16. Assoon as the-hole is tapped or a sufficient number of threads outtherein, as the case may be, the entire tool is moved backward orv drawnaway from the work and the cam 33 is automatically shifted to releasethe forward gear 15 from the spindle and connect the reverse gear 20thereto to rotate the tap out of the hole without injuring the threadscut therein, all without stopping the rotation of the motor 5 orchanging its direction of rotation.

To use the tool or drill, as it may be called, for setting or removingscrews or nuts, it is necessary to first lock the stem24 against endwisemovement in the spindle 16; otherwise, the clutches 30, 30 will beactuated to alternately reverse the direction of rotation of the spindleas the tool is forced-against and withdrawn from the work. This is notdesired in setting or removing screws or nuts, as the spindle may berotated either in one direction or the other with no change in rotationeffected as the tool is forced against and removed from the work. Toaccomplish these results, I have provided a locking mechanism forholding when desired the stem 24 against endwise movement in either ofits forward or reverse speed positions.

The locking mechanism forms the subjectmatter of this application andincludes a collar 36 encircling the outer end of the spindle 16 justbeyond the casing section 3. At the collar 36', the spindle 16 carries apair of oppositely disposed clutch dogs in the form of balls 37, 37 inholes-38, 38 made in tion of rotation will not be changed on the spindlefor the purpose. These holes extend through the spindle so that theinner portions of the balls 37 may :cxtcnd into either setof notches 39,40in the stem A pair of spaced recesses 41, 41 with a connecting groove42 between are .provided in the spindle 16 on the outside thereof, asshown in Figs. 7 and 8. The collar 36 has two insiderecesses 43,43disposed at rightangles to theholes 38, 38, as shown in Fig. .7. Aspring 44 extends about the collar 36 on the outside in a groove 45. Oneend of the spring ishooked into an aperture in the collar, while theopposite end of the spring is free and bears against a locating ball 46and holds it inone of the notches or recesses 41, 4F in the spindle 16,as shown in Fig. 7. The collar has a. hole 47 for this ball so that thespring may bearagainst it.

When the clutches 37, 37 of the 'lock are retained in the notches 40, 40by the collar 36, the stem .24 is lOClGCl against endwise movement ineither direction and thus will be run in reverse or counter-clockwise aslongas the lock is not changed. Its direcforcing the screw-driving bit48 against or withdrawing 1tfrom the work. Thus the spindle 16.24 is.100 red zin reverse and screws may be taken out by power without anychance of the clutches 30, 30 being shifted as required fortappmg-vY'Vhen it is desired-to :lock the-spindle so as -to have it run forward,as when driving screws or setting nuts, the collar '36 is first turnedto the right untilball 46 is in'recess 41 This will bring recesses 43,43 opposite balls 37, 37, and the spindle stem-24 is free to be shiftedinward to effect the clutching of the forward gear 15' to the spindle16. Then on turning "the collar 36 to the left to bring ball 46 backinto notch '41, the recesses 43, 43 will be inovedaway from the balls 37and the latter will be held in notches 39 by the collar 36, as shown inFig. 7. The ball 46 being in the groove 42 in the turning of the collar56 from one locking position to the other, holds the collar from endwisemovement on the spindle l6, and thus prevents the collar from droppingoif the end of the spindle when the collar is not in ither lockingposition.

In Fig. 1, I have shown a screw-driving bit 48 in the chuck 23 of theattachment 23. To operate on nuts, suitable socket wrenches will beclamped in the chuck. The attachment is divided into two parts, movableto ward and from each other to engage and disengage clutch teeth 49, 50,as in the Du Sell patents. Thus, the bit 48 while idle may be engagedwith the work and only be rotated by the spindle 16 when the clutchteeth are brought together on forcing the tool toward the work. Onwithdrawing the bit from the work, the clutch teeth separate respectivegear trains in the endwise and release thebit from the rotating spindle.

As shown in Fig. 1, the outer end of the stem 24- isshapcd to extendinto a socket of the tool holding chuck or attachment. This end of thestem 24 is notched, as at 24, to receive pin 24 for securing the memberin the socket. By this construction, a tap holding chuck may be readilyattached to the spindle of the tool and the latter be used for tappingfpurposes, the collar 36 being turned to locate the ball 46 in the notch41" so that the stem 24 may be shifted to reverse the direction ofrotation of the spindle as recuired for ta nine )IUDOSOS.

With my invention incorporated in the tool, the latter may be used fortapping as well as for setting or removing screws and nuts, thus makingthe tool more universal than when confined to tapping alone.

The details of structure and arrangement of parts shown and describedmay be variously changed and modified without departing from the spiritand scope of my inven tion.

I claim as my invention:

1. In aportable power driven tool, the combination with a spindle, ofpower operated means including two gear trains for driving the spindlein opposite directions, a chuck carrying stein slid-ably connected withand rotated by the spindle, clutch means for automatically connectingthe spindle to the movement of said stem, and means whereby the stem maybe locked against endwise move ment when connected with either geartrain.

2. In a portable power driven tool, the combination with a hollowspindle, of power operated means including two gear trains for rotatingthe spindle in opposite directions, a chuck carrying stemslidablyinounted in and connected with said spindle for rotationthereby, coacting means carried by the spindle and stem, respectively,and

operable through the endwise movement of the stem in the spindle forautomaticall connecting the stem to the respective gear trains, and alocking mechanism whereby the stem may be locked against endwisemovement when connected to either gear train.

3. In a portable power driven tool, the combination with a hollowspindle, of power operated means including two gear trains for rotatingthe spindle in opposite directions, a chuck carrying stem slidablymounted in and connected with the spindle for rotation thereby, clutchdogs carried by the spindle and movable in the endwise movement of thestem into and out of clutched'engagement with the respective geartrains, and a mechanism whereby the stem may be locked against endwisemove ment when connected to either gear train. 4. In a portable powerdriven tool, the combination with a spindle, of power op= erated meansincluding two gear trains for rotating the spindle in oppositedirections, a chuck carrying stem slidably connected with and rotated bysaid spindle, clutch means actuated by the endwise movement of the stemwith respect to the spindle for connecting the latter with therespective gear trains, at rotative collar, and means controlled by theturning of the collar whereby the stem may be moved endwise or lockedagainst endwise movement when connected to either gear train.

5. In a portable power driven tool, the combinationwith a spindle, ofpower operated means including two gear trains for rotating the spindlein opposite directions,

a chuck carrying stem slidably connected and rotated by said spindle,means actuated in the endwise movement of the stem with respect to thespindle for connecting the spindle to the respective gear trains, clutchdogs carried by the spindle and .engageable with the stem .for lookingthe same against endwise movement when connected with either gear train,and a collar carried by the spindle and adapted in the turning thereofto either release or hold said dogs in locked engagement with the stem.

6. In a' portable power driven tool, the combination with a spindle, ofpower operated means including two gear trains for rotating the spindlein opposite direotions,'a chuck carrying stem slidably connected withand rotated by said spindle, means actuated by the stem in the endwisemovement thereof with respect to the spindle for connecting notches toreceive said member with a conthe spindle with the respective geartrains, clutch dogs carried by the spindle and engageable with the stemfor locking the same against endwise movement when connected with eithergear train, and a collar on the spindle and having recesses to receivesaid dogs to release the stemv in one position of the collar, the latterholding the dogs in r locked engagement with'the stem to permit endwisemovement thereof in another position of the collar.

7. In a portablepower driven tool, the combination with a spindle, ofpower operated means including two gear trains for rotating the spindlein oppositedirections,

a chuck carrying stem slidably connected with and rotated by saidspindle, means actuated in the endwise movement of the stem with respectto the spindle for connecting the spindle with the respective geartrains, said stem having two sets of notches, one set for each geartrain, clutch dogs carried by the spindle and engageable with either setof notches for holding the'stem against endwise movement when connectedwith either gear train, and a collar carried by the spindle and adaptedin the turning thereof to either release or hold said dogs in saidnotches. I r

8. In a portable power driven tool, the combination with a spindle, ofpower operated means including two gear trains for rotating the spindlein opposite directions, a chuck carrying stem slidably connected -withand rotated by said spindle, means actuated in the endwise movement ofthe stem with respect to the spindle for connecting the spindle with therespective gear trains, clutch dogs carried by the-spindle andengageable with the stem for holding the same against endwise movementwhen connected with either gear train, and a collar on the spindle andcarrying a spring pressed member, said spindle having spaced nectin Intestimony whereof I affix my signature,

this 9th day of June, 1926.

' AXEL LEVEDAHL.

